5. Resolution: The True Wedding
The guests were paralyzed. No one knew whether to leave, applaud, or call their lawyers.
Liam stood alone at the altar. The space beside him was empty, the ghost of the bride exorcised. He looked out at the confused congregation, then reached for the microphone stand one last time.
“I apologize for the deception,” he said, his tone softening. “I know many of you traveled far. But I couldn’t invite you here to witness a crime without showing you the punishment.”
He took a deep breath. “However, I did pay for the venue for another hour. And I hate to waste good flowers.”
He looked directly at Clara.
“Clara? Could you come here?”
Clara’s heart fluttered. This part she hadn’t rehearsed. She knew Liam was planning to expose Vanessa. They had coordinated the invite, the timing. But she didn’t know what came next.
She stepped out of the pew. Her limp was noticeable, but she didn’t try to hide it. She walked down the aisle—the aisle that had been decorated for her murderer. The guests parted for her, their expressions shifting from shock to awe. In her black dress, moving with painful determination, she looked more regal than Vanessa ever had in her white lace.
